THREE-MONTH T-BILL YIELDS UP TO 8.73%

Yields on short-term Treasury securities rose for the second week Monday. The Treasury Department said rates on three-month bills climbed to 8.73 percent, up from 8.36 percent the week before. Rates on six-month bills hit 8.98 percent, up from 8.53 percent. The rates were the highest since Nov. 13 when three-month bills averaged 8.82 percent and six-month bills averaged 8.99 percent. The new discount rates understate the return -- 9.05 percent for three-month bills and 9.54 percent for six-month bills. The auction sold $14 billion in securities.